Stan Collymore has paid an emotional tribute to Gary Shaw, whose death was announced today, describing the former Aston Villa striker as a “real life superhero”.
Shaw passed away at the age of 63 after suffering head injuries in a fall at home.
He is best remembered for scoring 18 goals as Villa won the league in 1981 and forming a lethal strike partnership with Peter Withe as the club went on to win the European Cup 12 months later.
Collymore, who grew up a Villa fan, wrote on X: “Dear Gaz.
“I wanted to play football because of you. I love Villa because of you.
“When I was 11 I asked my Mom if I could have a blonde wedge because of you. Her wry “I don’t think we can do that, Son” will stay with me as one of my abiding memories of her, too.
“You were a real life superhero.
Dear Gaz
I wanted to play football because of you.
I love Villa because of you.
When I was 11 I asked my Mom if I could have a blonde wedge because of you( 😂). Her wry “I don’t think we can do that, Son” will stay with me as one of my abiding memories of her, too.
You were… pic.twitter.com/FUQDavW4nq
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) September 16, 2024
“I wish I’d have done more over the years to befriend you, you know. I so wish I’d have been able to elaborate why you were and are so special and to tell you that so much more often than I did.
“You made a little boy dream big, fall in love with you, our club and the beautiful game. You were my hero on the pitch but most importantly my hero off it. The loveliest of men.
“Rest in peace, ledge.
“All of my heroes are Villans.”
